What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

The nervous system controls the smooth functioning of all systems in the body as well as all interactions between the human being and the environment. The nervous system is comprised of millions of neurons that are interconnected and form a communications network within the body that governs many vital functions including:

• The five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste)
• Voluntary functions (e.g. walking, holding an object)
• Involuntary functions (e.g. breathing, blood pressure)
• Cognitive reasoning

The human nervous system has two major components:

• Central nervous system - includes the brain and spinal cord

• Peripheral nervous system - includes the nerves that lead from the brain and spinal cord to all parts of the body. An extensive system of specialized nerves makes up the peripheral nervous system which is responsible for a variety of important functions. These specialized nerves include:

  • motor nerves which carry messages from the brain to the body and are responsible for the ability to move any part of the body (e.g., hands, feet)
  • sensory nerves which carry information from organs to the central nervous system where it is processed into sensation (e.g., touch, temperature changes, and vibrations)
  • nerves that control autonomic (involuntary) functions including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and bladder function

Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system which leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness most commonly affecting the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by a variety of precipitating factors including trauma, infection, diabetes, alcohol abuse, and cancer chemotherapy.

The incidence of peripheral neuropathy is not known with any degree of certainty. It has been estimated that approximately 2 to 3 million Americans have some form of peripheral neuropathy. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy worldwide has been estimated to range from 2% to 8% of the population. Peripheral neuropathy affects both genders at all ages but symptoms are unique to each individual in terms of frequency, quality, and severity of pain. Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy typically affects adults over the age of 50. Peripheral neuropathy can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and daily activities by causing major disruptions including:

• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes
• Impairment of social, occupational, and recreational functioning

Knowledge is Critical when Dealing with a Life-Altering Condition such as Peripheral Neuropathy

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it's critical to learn everything you possibly can about this condition so that you can make informed decisions about your treatment. That's why we created the Medifocus Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy, a comprehensive 193 page patient Guidebook that contains vital information about peripheral neuropathy that you won't find anywhere in a single source.

The Medifocus Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy starts out with a detailed overview of the condition and quickly imparts fundamentally important information about peripheral neuropathy, including:

• The underlying causes and risk factors for developing peripheral neuropathy, which include:

  • Diabetes
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Hereditary disorders
  • Infectious diseases
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Trauma
  • Cancer chemotherapy

• The different types of peripheral neuropathy that can occur based on the pattern of nerve involvement and the distribution of pain, which include:

  • Mononeuropathy
  • Mononeuropathy multiplex
  • Polyneuropathy

• The signs and symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy based on the specific underlying cause, when known.

• How peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed based on a variety of factors and diagnostic tests including:

  • Signs and symptoms
  • Patient history and physical examination
  • Pattern of distribution of pain along sensory or motor nerves
  • Special electrodiagnostic studies, such as nerve conduction tests and electromyography (a test which measures the response of muscles to electrical stimulation)

Understanding the Standard Treatments...and the Treatment Options

The primary goals of treatment for peripheral neuropathy include accomplishing the following objectives:

• Determining and treating the underlying cause of the condition, if possible.
• Controlling and alleviating pain and other bothersome symptoms associated with the condition.
• Preserving function of the affected limbs, such as the hands and/or feet.
• Preventing a significant decrease in the patient's quality of life.

An important aspect for successfully achieving these goals is understanding the treatments - and the treatment options - for peripheral neuropathy. As you read through the section of the Guidebook that focuses on the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, you will specifically learn about:

• The management of peripheral neuropathy in patients where the underlying cause can be identified, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, nerve compression, and cancer chemotherapy.

• The major types of medications that are often prescribed to relieve pain associated with peripheral neuropathy, which include:

  • Antidepressants
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
  • Narcotic analgesics
  • Topical agents such as capsaicin and lidocaine patches

• The treatment options that are available for controlling pain that does not adequately respond to drug therapy, including nerve blocks with local anesthetics and spinal cord stimulation.

• The role of physical and occupational therapy in functional rehabilitation of patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• The role of complementary and alternative therapies in the management of peripheral neuropathy.

• The impact of peripheral neuropathy on the patient's psychological well-being and quality of life, including aspects such as:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Social relationships
  • Activities of daily living
  • Employment issues
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Recreational activities
  • Feelings of self-worth

• Practical tips and suggestions for how to minimize the negative impact of peripheral neuropathy on your quality of life and learn how to better cope with the condition.

• Important questions to ask your doctor about peripheral neuropathy.

A "One-of-a-Kind" Reference Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy that Goes Way Beyond the Fundamentals

Since 1996, when Medifocus was founded, we've learned that many people with Peripheral Neuropathy are seeking more specific information that goes beyond the fundamentals, such as the causes, diagnosis, standard treatments, and treatment options. That's why we developed a "one-of-a-kind" reference Guidebook that goes way beyond the basics and also includes the following sections:

• A Guide to Recent Medical Literature on Peripheral Neuropathy - This section of the Guidebook contains an extensive bibliography of over 100 references to recently published articles about Peripheral Neuropathy in authoritative, peer-reviewed medical journals with links to the absracts (summaries) of the articles. These articles represent the latest advances in the field and focus on cutting-edge research, new developments, and the lessons learned from recently published studies involving patients with Peripheral Neuropathy. This is the same level of that is used by doctors who treat people with Peripheral Neuropathy to keep abreast of the latest developments and breakthroughs in this specialized field of medicine.

• Centers of Research for Peripheral Neuropathy - We've compiled a unique directory of doctors, hospitals, medical centers, and research institutions with special interest and, in many cases, clinical expertise in managing people with Peripheral Neuropathy. The "Centers of Research" directory is a valuable resource for quickly identifying and locating leading medical authorities and medical institutions both within the United States and other countries who are considered to be at the forefront in clinical research and treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy. You'd have to spend days - or even weeks - attempting to compile your own list of doctors and medical centers but, with the "Centers of Research" directory, the information is already right at your fingertips. All you have to do is act on the information by selecting and contacting the experts or medical institutions listed in the directory by state and country.

• Organizations and Support Groups for Peripheral Neuropathy - The Guidebook also includes a directory of organizations and support groups whose goal is to help people with Peripheral Neuropathy by providing access to information, resources, and services. Many of these organizations can answer your specific questions, enable you to "network" with other patients, and provide guidance in areas such as financial, social, or medical-legal issues. This valuable directory of organizations and support groups includes complete contact information, including phone numbers and E-mail addresses.

Look Inside the Guidebook

The Guidebook is a Value-Added Proposition that Comes with a Risk-Free Satisfaction Guarantee so that...You have Nothing to Lose and Everything to Gain

Still not sure if you'll benefit from the Medifocus Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy? Still not convinced that the information included in the Guidebook is worth the minimal cost? If that's the case, then please consider the following value-added proposition that comes standard with your purchase of the Guidebook:

• Free Updates for One Year - Along with your initial purchase of the Guidebook, you also receive free updates for one-full year.

• 20% Discount - For a limited time, you can purchase the Medifocus Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy at a special 20% discount off the regular list price. Your 20% discount will automatically be applied when you go to "Checkout".

• Risk-Free Satisfaction Guarantee - Your purchase comes with our RISK-FREE satisfaction guarantee. If, for whatever reason, you are not totally satisfied with the content of your Guidebook, simply contact us within 30-days of your purchase for a prompt, full refund. We are so confident that you will be satisfied with your Guidebook that we offer this RISK-FREE satisfaction guarantee unconditionally - no questions and no hassles.

Order Your Copy of the Medifocus Guidebook on Peripheral Neuropathy Today!

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